Health Benefits of Slippery Elm and Slippery Elm Uses

One of the main health benefits of slippery elm, if not the main one, is that it makes a soothing substance for anything it comes in contact woth.

This is owing to the fact that slippery elm bark's mucilage (gummy substance that oozes from bark when it comes in contact with water) is mainly composed of easy to digest complex carbohydrates which are non-toxic.

As mentioned earlier, the inner bark of the slippery elm tree holds the main health benefits of slippery elm. Because of this important medicinal value, it needs a special mention.

Slippery elm bark is collected in spring from the larger branches and dried. It is tough and flexible of a fine fibrous texture. It has an odour like fenugreek and is very mucilaginous with an insipid taste.

The mucilage is very similar to that found in linseed and does not dissolve, but only swells in water and is so abundant that 10 grains of the powdered bark will make a thick jelly with an ounce of water.

Slippery elm powder, made from the bark, is sold in two forms, i.e., a coarse powder for use as poultices and a fine powder for making a mucilaginous drink. The disintegrated bark forms, when moistened, a flexible and spongy tissue, which is easily moulded into pessaries, teats, and suppositories.

Slippery Elm Uses and Benefits

Today, the herb is used for the many benefits of slippery elm. It comes n handy as a demulcent, emollient, expectorant, diuretic, and nutritive as listed below:

The health benefits of slippery elm are rooted mainly in its soothing properties. It is thus effectively used as a mucilaginous herb internally to coat and soothe mucous membranes while also absorbing toxins which can cause intestinal imbalances. Slippery elm is an effective remedy for duodenal ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and heartburn.

The Cherokee have used the viscous inner bark of the slippery elm to prepare a healing salve, and in herbal medicine it is used as one of the best possible poultices for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns and all inflamed surfaces, soothing, healing and reducing pain and inflammation.

The benefits of slippery elm also extend to being a simple food. As a part of normal diets, slippery elm's inner bark can be ground and eaten as porridge. It is very nutritious and packed with antioxidant, with a similar taste and consistency like oatmeal. It also makes a wholesome and sustaining food for invalids and infants.

As a heart remedy, a cocktail of a pint of slippery elm drink has been prescribed alternately with Bugleweed compound.

The slippery elm plant, more specifically slippery elm bark, is also part of a North American formula called Essiac, which is a popular herbal treatment for cancer.

Another of the benefits of slippery Elm bark is that it is attributed with healing effects upon diseases of the female organs.

An earlier use for slippery elm inner bark was as a mechanical irritant to abort foetuses. Its use became widespread and uncontrolled, and therefore it is now banned in a number of countries.

Slippery elm is particularly valuable both medicinally and as an injection in dysentery and other diseases of the bowels, cystitis as well as irritation of the urinary tract.

Slippery elm bark is used as an antioxidant to prevent fats going rancid.

Slippery elm is also used to make burial caskets, rope, chords, fence posts, furniture, and some musical instruments such as drums.

It has been claimed that a pinch of slippery elm powder put into a hollow tooth arrests the pain and greatly delays decay, if used on first noticing any sign of decay.

It is also said that 'lozenges containing 3 grains of elm flavored with methyl salicylate are used as a demulcent '.

As you can see, the health benefits of slippery elm are quite extensive. Largely, they centre around slippery elm bark's special soothing quality, which is pretty much made clear in the name of the plant - 'slippery '.

Indeed, such a unique medicinal property makes the slippery elm tree a truly special plant. Among all herbs slippery elm is thus a massively essential part of anyone's herbal armory.

Share YOUR Knowledge and Experiences on Slippery Elm

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